Xijia Pond

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Lying at the foot of Mountain Baima, Xijia Pond is ten miles north of Xiangyang City, and three miles south of the famed Mountain Xian. Initially built around Jianwu year in Eastern Han Dynasty (around 25-56) by Xi Yu (his alias is Wentong), who once served as an official of emperor’s retinue before appointed as Dahonglu (one of nine ministers in ancient times, responsible for affairs concerning minority groups) and Duke Xiangyang. Following the fish-raising way of Fan Li, Xi Yu built a dam measuring 60 steps long and 40 steps wide behind Mountain Baima, and a huge pond with water channeled from Baima Brook. A fishing terrace decorated with pavilions and towers was built on the pond too. With the images of mountain, forest, pavilion, tower reflected upon rippling water, an intoxicating scene is thus created.

Shan Jian, the general assigned to defend the south territory in Jin Dynasty (265—420), made Xijia Pond well known as Gaoyang Pond. According to Book of Jin ? Biography of Shan Jian, Shan Jian (whose alias is Jilun and honorary name is Shantao Youzi), was appointed as General Guarding the South in the 3rd Yongjia year (309), responsible to supervise military affairs in Jing, Xiang, Jiao, Guang States and stationed to Xiangyang. However, Shan Jian was addictive to drink and cared nothing when the nation was at the verge of crisis and people were in the abyss of calamity due to the weak court of Western Jin Dynasty (265—316). According to Book of Jin, “Zhuke family is a prominent local clan, with a marvelous private garden pond left from ancestors. The private garden pond is often frequented by Jian when he leaves position for fun-seeking. Jian always got drunk when he was treated with wine there. Jian claimed himself as Gaoyang Wine Bibber and the garden pond Gaoyang Pond.

Xi Zaochi, the offspring of Xi Yu in Eastern Jin Dynasty, often read books by pond and wrote articles in pavilion of the residency passed on from his ancestors. With masterpieces like the Annals of Han and Jin Dynasties left behind, Xi Zaochi was remembered as famous historian by later generations, and brought new glories to Xijia Pond.

After Jin Dynasty, Xijia Pond once became deteriorated and deserted, before it restored to a hot scenic spot again featuring harmonious natural and architectural beauty after several overhauls. Great poets of later generations like Meng Haoran, Pi Rixiu, Ouyang Xiu, Qian Chun all left poems here during their tour to the pond.

Xijia Pond was listed by Xiangyang government as cultural relic under municipal-level projection.

Xijia Pond was rebuilt in the 5th Year under the reign of Emperor Tongzhi (1866).

Xijia Pond was under maintenance with fund allocated by Hubei Province in 1955.

Xijia Pond was under maintenance with fund allocated by Xiangfan City in 1957.

During 1960 to 1980, Xijia Pond was reserved as Cadre Sanatorium and Airforce No. 3 Field Operation Hospital, with original ancestral halls dismantled and reconstructed into hotel and staff residence compound affiliated to the hospital.

Xijia Pond was under maintenance with fund allocated by Xiangfan City in 1987.

Renovation efforts were made to Hexagonal Pavilion, Lotus Pond, Memorial Archway, and Baima Brook in 2008. Xi Family’s Ancestral Hall was also restored.

Xijia Pond was listed as Relic Site under Provincial Protection by Hubei Provincial Government in 1992.